Organizers hesitate to call incident a 'hate crime' until more evidence is revealed

San Antonians organized a vigil for peace

Posted June 29, 2012, 2:20 PMUpdated January 22, 2014, 6:40 PM

By
Ryan Loyd

As a result of a shooting that killed 19 year old Mollie Olgin and seriously injured her girlfriend, 18 year old Kristine Chapa, San Antonians organized a vigil for peace.

"When you hear the story," said Angela Bornacelli, "you hear from friends, what's really going on, they're two individuals and they should be treated as that."

Bornacelli hosted the vigil because her nephew, Jeremiah Mata, knew Chapa personally. She strongly believes people should view the story as a crime against the girls, and not because they were a lesbian couple.

She wants to know more before calling it a hate crime.Mata has known Chapa since the 6th grade. They just graduated from Sinton High School, near Portland, together."

I don't want to say it's a hate crime," he said. "As a gay male, I have gone out there with my boyfriend and we've never been targeted."

Following a moment of silence, people participated in a moment of noise to stand up against violence.

"I'm just glad everyone's out here to support her," said Mata. "Not that they were a lesbian couple," he continued. "We're coming together as a community to celebrate their life and we're just here to support."

A representative from San Antonio's P.E.A.C.E Initiative said if anyone is dealing with violence, they don't have to go through it alone. Call 210-533-2729 for help.

Copyright 2012 by KSAT.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Comments

The views expressed are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Service and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms.